Chapter 3:
"The First Test"
As Andrew moved to prepare the feast, Kushana spoke to Nausicaä. "Our ambassador to Pejite reported that a group of rebels who want to continue our conflict have desecrated the grave of Prince Asbel and plan to re-animate his body," she said.
"Re-animate the dead? That's impossible!" Lord Yupa said. "If our ambassador's report is correct, the Pejite rebels may have found a device made before the Seven Days of Fire that can do just that," Kushana said.
Yupa turned to Nausicaä. "What shall we do, Princess?" he asked. "I have an idea, Nausicaä," Andrew said. "My father used to say, 'Don't try to think on an empty stomach.'" Andrew walked in, bearing three trays. "Nausicaä graciously let me use her gardens to find the ingredients I used to make these."
Kushana took a bite from the salad on her plate. "You must have been a good chef in your own time, Andrew," she said. "Yes, Lady Kushana," Andrew said. "I trained under the legendary Masaharu Morimoto. Morimoto-sensei taught me the finer points of cooking with these ingredients."
After the feast, Nausicaä turned to Andrew."Andrew, the rebellion may unravel the already-fragile peace triangle between us," Nausicaä said. "We'll need your help." "I'm not sure, Nausicaä," Andrew said. "Well, let me show you something," Nausicaä said, leading Andrew to the sitting room.
Nausicaä led Andrew to the tapestry. She pointed to the inscription about Andrew. "Is that...me?" Andrew said. "Yes," Nausicaä said. "The inscription says that you are destined to join with me. We do not yet know the exact way you will join with me, though."
"Whatever way it is, we will face it, together," Andrew said. "Good," Nausicaä said. "Now, go get some sleep. We'll take off for Tolmekia in the morning."
As Andrew slept that night, he had a dream about Nausicaä.
There was a knock on the door of Andrew's chamber. "Come in," Andrew said. The door opened, admitting Nausicaä, her long red hair tied up in a ponytail. "Good morning, Andrew," she said. "The same to you, Nausicaä," Andrew said.
"So, now that we've saved the world-or what's left of it, anyway-what are your plans?" Nausicaä asked. "Well, normally, I'd say I wanted to find a way back to my own time," Andrew said. "But, after meeting everyone here-Lord Yupa, Obaba, Kushana, you... well, I'm gonna stay."
"That's good to hear," Nausicaä said. She proceeded to let down her hair so that it reached her shoulders. Then, she began to unbutton her blouse. "I love you, Andrew. I want you...not just as a princess, but as a woman in love."
"Whoa, Nausicaä," Andrew said. "Are you asking me to make love to you?" "Not just that," Nausicaä said as she slipped her blouse to the floor, allowing Andrew to see Nausicaä's natural beauty. "It is your destiny to join with me. And our recent experiences told me that the joining must be in every way imaginable," Nausicaä said.
But before Nausicaä could disrobe Andrew, he could hear a loud knock on the door. Andrew's eyes shot open. "Who is it?" Andrew asked. "It is Gol," the voice on the other side of the door said. "Come in, Gol," Andrew said. The door opened, admitting Gol. He bore a bundle of clothes.
"Toeto, our finest seamstress, made these clothes for you, based on Nausicaä's specifications," Gol said as he put the bundle on the night-table. "A suit of ohmu-shell armor and weapons are awaiting you on Lady Kushana's warship," Gol said.
"See you in a few moments," Andrew said. "Just let me get dressed." As Andrew got out of bed, he shook his head to clear the visions of Nausicaä's naked beauty out of his head. But, as he got dressed in his new ensemble, he hoped that they would survive the events to come. Then, Andrew hoped, he could confess to Nausicaä how he felt about her.
::TBC::
